A Texas man has received a maximum sentence of five years in prison after admitting he participated in high-stakes dog fights in Alabama and Mississippi.

Demontt Allen of Houston was sentenced Wednesday in Montgomery by U.S. District Keith Watkins.

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Allen pleaded guilty to conspiracy in April. He admitted training pit bulls for dog fights and participating in fights near Auburn, Alabama; and Holly Springs, Mississippi. He also admitted leaving one Auburn fight with $35,000 in winnings and attending a two-day fight in northern Mississippi that was promoted as the Super Bowl of dog fights.

Federal sentencing guidelines called for Allen to receive 10 to 16 months in prison. But the judge said he gave the maximum because Allen was involved in dog fighting for many years and exhibited extraordinary cruelty.